28.06.2026 10:30
Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Muhittin Böcek made striking claims in his prosecutor’s statement regarding the candidate nomination processes and election financing in the CHP. Böcek alleged that Ekrem İmamoğlu requested 15 million euros in support from him, claiming that he sent 5 million euros of that amount using a method called "havala," and also claimed that he brought 950 thousand euros to Ferdi Zeyrek on the direction of Özgür Özel. The investigation continues.
In his testimony as part of Investigation No. 2025/60355, led by the Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Muhittin Böcek made various allegations regarding the nomination processes within the Republican People's Party (CHP), election financing, and Ekrem İmamoğlu's presidential preparations.
"I TOOK 950,000 EURO WITH ME UNDER ÖZGÜR ÖZEL'S DIRECTION" ALLEGATION
Muhittin Böcek reiterated his previous statements, claiming that before the 2024 local elections, he went to Manisa under the direction of CHP Chairman Özgür Özel. Böcek stated that before his candidacy was announced, he traveled to Manisa on January 15, 2024, believing that due to it being Özgür Özel's hometown and his role as party chairman, it would contribute to his candidacy.
In his testimony, Böcek alleged that after a meeting in Ankara, Özgür Özel requested him to provide financial and project support to the late Manisa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ferdi Zeyrek. Böcek claimed that while traveling to Manisa, he had approximately 950,000 euro in a bag. He asserted that after presenting a social project, he briefly met alone with Ferdi Zeyrek and left the money beside his desk.
ALLEGATIONS REGARDING THE MEETING IN ISTANBUL
Muhittin Böcek also recounted another process he experienced regarding his candidacy for Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor during the 2024 local elections. Böcek alleged that the Muratpaşa Mayor met with Ekrem İmamoğlu, received certain assurances about the nomination process, and that he learned a large amount of spending would be made in return.
Böcek stated that after this, to clarify his candidacy, he went to Istanbul on November 30, 2023, and claimed to have had approximately a one-hour meeting with Ekrem İmamoğlu at a hotel. Böcek also testified that his private secretary, Yasin Yellice, witnessed the meeting, that they took a photo together on the hotel balcony afterward, and that he shared this photo on his social media account.
"15 MILLION EURO SUPPORT WAS REQUESTED" ALLEGATION
According to Böcek's testimony, Ekrem İmamoğlu said during this meeting that he had not promised candidacy to anyone else and would favor Böcek. Böcek further alleged that İmamoğlu mentioned needing financial resources for the election campaign, stated he was planning a presidential candidacy for a later date, and requested approximately 15 million euro in support from him.
According to his testimony, he also alleged that he was asked to cover the Mediterranean Region's expenses during the presidential candidacy process.
"I SENT 5 MILLION EURO USING THE 'HAVALA' METHOD" ALLEGATION
Muhittin Böcek recounted that after returning to Antalya, he told a friend he needed 5 million euro. According to his testimony, a few days later, he was given a photo of a 100 Turkish Lira banknote along with a piece of paper containing a name and phone number, which he believed was used for a payment via the "havala" method. Böcek stated he did not know through which currency exchange the payment was made.
"I HANDED OVER THE BANKNOTE AND PAPER TO İMAMOĞLU" ALLEGATION
Böcek claimed that on December 17, 2023, he met again with Ekrem İmamoğlu in Istanbul, met with him privately in a building said to be used as an election office, and handed over the banknote and paper with phone information in his possession. Böcek stated that he said he would provide the remaining money later and also shared his assessments regarding the election campaigns in Antalya during this meeting.
"I DID NOT GIVE THE REMAINING MONEY" ALLEGATION
Muhittin Böcek stated in his testimony that he did not give the remaining portion of the allegedly requested support following Ekrem İmamoğlu's arrest. He also claimed that the same payment method was used for his son Gökhan Böcek's election advertising expenses.
ASSESSMENTS REGARDING THE CHP ADMINISTRATION
Continuing his testimony, Muhittin Böcek alleged that Ekrem İmamoğlu had over time transformed into a "supra-party political force" within the CHP. Böcek claimed that the Party Assembly and CHP Chairman Özgür Özel could not act independently of İmamoğlu's opinions on many matters, arguing that this situation was unhealthy for the party's functioning.
At the end of his testimony, Böcek referenced former CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's words, "Municipalities are not places to meet the demands of headquarters and leaders," and argued that municipal services were falling behind political objectives. It was reported that the investigation, coordinated by the Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, is ongoing.